‘The police could have definitely handled it better, they could have blocked off cars and pedestrians from coming through the line of sight while the sergeant was taking the shot, because the bullet is a small calibre and definitely had the potential to ricochet off of the concrete in to any direction,’ he told News.com.au.

‘I think it’s mere luck that nothing tragic happened.’

But Victoria Police spokeswoman Leonie Johnson told the site that local police have spoken to the child’s parents, and that no one had been hurt.

‘Police are commonly called upon to dispatch injured wildlife in outer suburban and rural areas,’ she added. ‘All instances where a firearm is discharged by police are reviewed.’